Nature Surrounds In Iron County Michigan

Swim, Fish, Kayak & Play

A variety of locations provide summer activities. With 314 lakes and 900 miles of rivers, there is something for everyone. The UP of Michigan is relaxing as well as offers an opportunity for groups to gather.

Fall Color Tour Season

Fall Color Tour Season

The most picturesque time of year in Iron County is the Fall Season. As the daylight hours get shorter, the leaves of the forest begin to transition from the bright green of summer to autumn’s palette of reds, yellows and oranges. Historically, the Color Tour season starts mid-September and runs for almost three weeks. Be sure to give us a call at the chamber office for the latest on peak color recommendations.

Iron County boasts an abundance of tree species that participate in the smooth transition of color, so traveling anywhere in the county during a Color Tour can provide breath-taking scenery. Head west over the rolling hills of US-2 and experience the changing of the seasons. Or travel north on either Forest Highway 16 or US-141. Those stretches feature some of the more “mountainous” regions of the county, for views of reds, oranges, and yellows in the valleys and hills.

Taking the main road east will bring travelers to some of the highest spots in Iron County. The zenith of the 4-lane of US-2 between Iron River and Crystal Falls will provide an expansive picture that covers miles of territory.

US-2 east, M-189 south and M-73 south all provide their unique opportunities for a Color Tour supreme. Whether you want to see color up-close — or prefer a panoramic color — the highways will offer you a view to behold.

But for the top spot for Color Tour viewing in Iron County, we offer this suggestion: park your vehicle near the Iron County Courthouse in Crystal Falls and look east across a valley that will be awe-inspiring. The view from the second floor of the Courthouse gets even better. And the view from the Courthouse bell tower observation deck is “worth a million dollars.”

A reminder for those making the Color Tour—don’t forget to bring a camera!

Fall in Iron County brings with it any number of festivals that celebrate both the heritage of the area and the bountiful harvest gathered from the fields, gardens and orchards. Enjoy a homemade apple pie or take home a bushel of the UP’s best apples to make your own pies. Wild blueberries, raspberries and blackberries can be enjoyed by the handful, sprinkled on breakfast cereal or enjoyed with a scoop of ice cream.

As you drive around the next curve in the highway, you may be greeted with a local farmer’s hay wagon covered with orange and yellow pumpkins, both small and large. A few can be characterized as huge and you better have strong arms and the car with a big trunk to take home one of these monsters.

The roads and trails are alive with bicyclists and hikers enjoying the cooler temperatures and lack of insects. It’s a great time to be in Iron County!